Player ratings: Bok a dying breed

South Africa suffered their first defeat under the guidance of Heyneke Meyer, but it also represented a record fifth loss at the hands of Australia.

Despite a more committed first half and an impressive 13-6 lead at the break, the Springboks appeared to revert back to an ineffective kick-'n-chase game after the break and allowed the Wallabies to dominate their pack all too easily.

The Boks are just not good enough at playing to the referee, allowing themselves to get rattled by illegal tactics all too easily.

It was only when a couple of youngsters – Patrick Lambie and Johan Goosen – came on late in the game that South Africa looked to get some life.

However, it appears it may be time for some new blood or the Boks could become a dying breed.

Jan de Koning rates the Springbok players:

15 Zane Kirchner:

He produced some great clearance kicks in the first half and kept driving the Aussies back into their 22. However, he gave a great impression of a revolving door for Scott Higginbotham's try.

5/10

14 Bryan Habana:

He had two good runs and a really good line-break. His workrate has also improved, but he is simply not seeing enough of the ball.

6/10

13 Jean de Villiers (captain):

The Bok captain appears unable to pull his team together when things don't go their way. He missed a few tackles, including a crucial one on Shipperley that resulted in Australia's first try.

4/10

12 Francois Steyn:

Plenty of strong carries and made good metres. He produced two awesome long range penalties, but also had one of his clearance charged down. One of the few Bok backs who did not let himself down.

6/10

11 Francois Hougaard:

Great charge down of Genia's clearance, when he popped up at scrumhalf, and chasing to collect the loose ball. There was also a great grubber and chase down left touchline. He was all over the place and one wonders why all the Boks can't show this commitment.

7/10

10 Morné Steyn:

He missed a couple of drop-goal attempts and some crucial tackles. He took the ball to the line well in lead-up to Bryan Habana's try, but his game deteriorated – especially in the second half. Maybe it is time for a change.

5/10

9 Ruan Pienaar:

He was meant to bring more variety and a better kicking game. Neither was effected. His out-of-hand kicking was sound early on and he was great on the cover in the first half. However, like most of the Boks he deteriorated and also conceded a penalty for offside.

5/10

8 Duane Vermeulen:

He missed tackles, failed to control restarts and coughed the ball up in the tackle. He also did not produce the physical dominance he was expected to bring to the game. He did win a crucial turnover penalty with 15 minutes to go, but it was a case of too little, too late.

5/10

7 Willem Alberts:

Was very ineffective – his seven carries produce a mere 19 metres. He also slipped a few tackled and failed to provide the muscle the Boks needed.

5/10

6 Marcell Coetzee:

Made more metres with ball in hand than any of his fellow forwards and had the highest tackle count in the game – 13, without slipping any.

7/10

5 Juandré Kruger:

Took all his line-outs, seven in all, made plenty of tackles (without slipping any) and worked hard at the breakdown.

6/10

4 Eben Etzebeth:

It is not a surprise he was cited for shoving his head in the direction of Nathan Sharpe, even though it appears no contact was made – it was very silly. He took four line-outs and made six tackles, but was ineffective with ball in hand.

5/10

3 Jannie du Plessis:

Worked hard on defence, but struggled in his primary job – the scrums. Conceded two penalties and made just one carry.

5/10

2 Adriaan Strauss:

Some strong carries in the first half, but his workrate really dropped after the break. Also struggled in the scrums.

4/10

1 Tendai Mtawarira:

He gave away a ruck penalty in front of his posts, which became three points, then got yellow carded for a professional foul. Also struggled in the scrums.

3/10

Replacements:

16 Tiaan Liebenberg (on for Adriaan Strauss, 75th min):

His first line-out throw went straight to the Wallaby jumper, but he wasn't on the field long enough to be rated.

17 Patric Cilliers (on in the 35th min when Mtawarira was yellow carded and then on for Jannie du Plessis, 53rd min):

He conceded two penalties, slipped a crucial tackle and contributed little else.

4/10

18 Flip van der Merwe (on for Eben Etzebeth, 60th min):

Brought nothing new to the game – a couple of ineffective carries and made a couple of tackles.

5/10

19 Francois Louw (on for Marcell Coetzee, 72nd min):

Made one tackle and took one line-out. Not enough time to be rated.

20 Johan Goosen (on for Morné Steyn, 72nd min):

Made an immediate impact with a great break and a good touchfinder. He needed more time on the field to be rated.

21 Patrick Lambie (on for Zane Kirchner, 71st min):

Showed his enthusiasm and willingness to get stuck in immediately, but also did not have enough time to be rated.

22 Lwazi Mvovo (on for Bryan Habana, 53rd min):

What a shocker to let the ball bounce from the restart and then conceding a five-metre scrum. There was another poor restart.

2/10